We didn't have long to wait before more co-vacationers came to the Lake House. Dick and Nancy Beggs, and Dick's sister Sue, and Corky, of course, came out for a few days while on their whirlwind tour of the U.S.
It was funny to spend so much time with the Beggs, since we live in the same town, but never see them at home. They were good for many games and much laughing, but it was definitely a full house.

It was also rainy. With four children, two bickering dogs, and seven adults inside of one lake house, it was a crazy scene. We decided that it was a good time to go exploring, if only for the Beggs to be able to put Corky down. We stopped at a farm stand, and were given pumpkins by a nice farmer.

Then we went to the Farmer's Diner, in Middlebury. It was a local-vores dream come true.

And Jacks, too.

We passed some people kayaking down the falls on our way out of the diner's parking lot, and decided to get a better view. We also wanted to find a place that we'd heard about, but never been to visit, and now never will, since it closed down.

Jack was angry about leaving the bridge, but it made me nervous.

We found a better vantage point, and the kayaks came down again.

It was very fun...a nice rainy day full of adventure.

This may not be that interesting to you. One week after we arrived in Vermont, we drove back up to Burlington to take Lisa to the airport. We had to say goodbye to John, too, as he was leaving for Georgia a little after we drove off. We decided to go up to St. Albans, about a half-hour away, after we dropped Lisa off.
We got into St. Albans and went to see if our favorite sandwich place was open- it used to be called Kartulas, but is now the Celestial Cafe...the menu is the same, and the Spinach Melt with garlic mayonnaise on a wheat bagel was so good, I'd eat it every day. Above is Josh's favorite, the Turkey Reuben. So. So. Delicious.

Jack just got one with cream cheese. This was Jack's second time to St. Albans, if you remember. If you don't, here.

We left the big two at the Lake House with Grandma and Grandpa and three cousins- those brave souls had five chickens to themselves for most of the day- and so they missed a trip to Hudak Farms.

I loved going back to St. Albans and Burlington and seeing all of my favorite things. Hudak has excellent finds three seasons out of the year.

Of course, like all of Vermont, it has little to offer for the six months that Winter takes hold. (Just kidding, people.)

I got Josh some beets. Mom Tate cooked them up for him and he devoured them. Josh loves him some beets.

We drove back up to Burlington and walked around Church Street and the surrounding area. We passed this church on our way to the Vermont Pub and Brewery.

We let Jack pick out a pumpkin at Hudak, and it came with us everywhere we went after.

I got an outstanding sampler of Vermont cheeses. It came with a sliced apple, but Jack took that as his recompense for being made to sit in a restaurant.

Oh, no! Sideways cheese. Even at that angle, it still makes me hungry.

The worst job in the world, I think. He probably likes it. I like that he's doing it, because these spires are pretty completely absent on the West Coast.

We made our way home in time to have dinner with Joel and Christine as they came to pick up their spawn. Our vacation felt a lot like this- feast or famine. Both were welcome.

While we had the other Tate kids, we made the most of our Uncle and Aunt time. We went to eat at the pizza place that Job works at and went bowling with everyone but Obie, who went home with Grandma and Grandpa, and Elisabeth, who went home with some friends to spend the night. Then we went and got ice cream at the scurfiest Stewarts ever.

Bowden and Jack got donuts instead of ice cream.

I got a milk shake- it was just a little gross- and some SUPER DELICIOUS CIDER DONUTS that were not gross at all. I asked Uncle John to get some eggnog for Bowden, because he loves that stuff...
It was fun. We apologized to the clerk for showing up and supporting his business, and then we were on our way. John and Lisa were leaving the next day, and our nighttime games of spades would be ending.

I think that I'll toss a little Miles and Isai in with the vacation mix. Isai is three months old, and Miles is four months old- exactly one month apart, these two.

They liked to look at each other, and attempted to explore each other's faces with their hands, which was not really very nice for whoever was being explored.

Two sweet little men. They look a little alike in profile, but from straight on, they could be unrelated.

I kept trying to get a picture of their little feet together, especially the way that they would curl their toes around each other. I actually devoted more energy and time to it than I should have...but they were both happy, so no harm was done. As Rosie said, "I can see why it might seem like a good picture, but it doesn't really translate."

No, but really, could I avoid posting it?

We went on a walk in Vermont, in October. Now, I know that this is taking me longer than it should to post. Our computer has been acting up, but I also have been a little busy.
I would skip all of our vacation, but it was so dear to me- it was a really wonderful two weeks, and I would hate to miss posting any of it here.
Also, the further we get from it, the better it is to look at our adventures and appreciate the time we spent with some of our favorite people.
These pictures are from the first week, when Lisa and John were still with us. The other Tate chickens were at the Lake House, and we were enjoying having eight children, still. We took Edwards on this walk. He is a good dog to walk.

It was cold. Here in Idyllwild, now, it's been wonderfully warm, and we haven't had to bundle up, yet. We didn't mind the cold, though.
The kids walking through the leaf litter.
We made our way to Munger Brook, and tried to keep everyone mostly dry.
Elisabeth and the JET-dog.
Bowden and Lucy took an explore down the brook.

Elisabeth, good eldest cousin that she is, went to help our Lucy Gates find her way back.

Jack by the water.

Lucy Gates, a little tired of walking.

Lucy gates, Lucy Joy, and Bowden.

We found the field that belongs, somehow, to the Munger Farm, and Bowden hid amongst the grasses, still green and high from summer.

Lucy- monkey-see, monkey-do.

When we made this trip out years before, my mother named this tree the "Brother Tree" because she took a picture of Job and Josh near it. We continued the tradition.

Jack also hid...

...and we discovered in his place a roaring dinosaur.

Josh would nap anywhere.

Josh and Edwards. Edwards would not let Josh nap in peace.

Leaves everywhere. One would have thought that it was Fall.

My Jack, too tired to walk back on his own.

Asking to be held, with hand in pocket.

Happy Thanksgiving, although this has nothing to do with the holiday, but much to do with the sentiment.